Chequamegon Bay, St. Louis River, & Hayward, Wisconsin Fishing Report 8-14-15

It took awhile, but we were finally able to squeeze all of the areas we fish into a report.  Man it’s hot out there…  I don’t have any stats to back it up, but this has to be one of the warmest summers we’ve had in quite some time.  My good friends Cory McClure (Plymouth, MN), Dan Martin (Maple Grove, MN) & Steve Berg (Minnetrista, MN) returned for their annual two day trip, and the heat wave continued.  They were all about Chequamegon Bay after the trip they had last year, and the winds looked favorable on Wednesday to make it happen.  A stiff SW wind cut through the heat, and we put a very good day together with multiple doubles on fish up to 20″.  No TRIPLES this year, but man we were close…  We fished rocks in 12′ – 18′ of water with minnows and had steady action throughout the day.  Water temps ranged from 69 – 71 degrees.  The boys put on a good show, and it’s always a pleasure to have them in the boat.  Old stories and big laughs with some nice fish in between…  Nothing better!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How could we possibly top day #1 ???  It’s been well documented that the St. Louis River walleye bite has been a struggle over the past month, but I wanted to give it one more shot on Thursday.  I had the right crew to do it, and the fish cooperated.  After a slow start, we got into a good mess of fish up to 18″ trolling cranks in 5′ – 8′ of water.  It was another steamy day with water temps hitting 74 degrees, but an unexpected breeze from the north kicked up that made things tolerable.  It took us all summer, but by gosh we finally got it done on the river…  What took so long???  I’m not sure how long that bite will hold up, but is sure felt good to work it out after several attempts.  Thanks to Cory, Dan, and Steve for rolling with the plan, and I’m glad you were rewarded with your limit.  Until we meet again my friends…  Stay accountable, and don’t hold your breath!!!

 

 

Bev & Otis Cobb from Menomonee Falls, WI returned on Friday, and we had an inferno for a forecast in the Hayward area.  90 degrees with no wind was what we were dealt, and I knew we’d have to be flexible.  As expected, we had a tough am bite.  Thankfully, Bev saved the morning with her largest fish ever as she landed a 35″ pike.  It was an unexpected surprise, but we weren’t complaining!!!  We used leeches and minnows in a variety of spots from 15′ – 25′ feet over rocks and wood, but we weren’t able to get anything else going.  Time for plan B!!!  We switched lakes in the pm, and found some cooperative smallmouths over rocks in 15′ – 25′ of water.  Otis and Bev caught a bunch of nice fish up to 20″ on minnows under slip bobbers as air temps hit the mid 90’s and water temps spiked to 78 degrees.  This crew deserved every one of the fish they caught, and I couldn’t have been happier with the day they put together.  Congrats to the Cobbs on one heck of a day in tough conditions.  Those are some outstanding fish, and I’m looking forward to next year.  Stay cool out there everyone, and have a great weekend!!!